look news india
Mumbai, 8 October (Hindustan Reporter). The All India Pickleball Association (AIPA) is all set to host the prestigious World Pickleball Championship (WPC) Series in India for the first time. The WPC series will be held in Mumbai from 12-17 November.
After the highly successful Vietnam and Bali leg of the championship, where Indian teams secured gold, silver and bronze medals, WPC 2024 will bring together the best pickleball talent from across the world.
The World Pickleball Championship Series, run by the World Pickleball League (WPBL), will see around 650 players from six to seven countries like Australia, Vietnam, Taiwan, Poland and Singapore participating in India.
AIPA President Arvind Prabhu said in a statement, “We are very proud to bring the World Pickleball Championship Series to India. This is not only a great opportunity for the pickleball community to see global talent on the Indian stage, but also a chance for us to promote the growth of the sport at all levels. We are excited to host this international championship and players on our home turf, and hope to inspire people across generations and geographies to take up pickleball as both a competitive career and leisure activity “
Expressing his excitement, Jan Papi, Founder of Pickleball Global and WPC Series, said, “We are thrilled to see the World Pickleball Championship Series being held in India for the first time. There is incredible potential for the sport at all levels in India, and we look forward to collaborating with AIPA to further raise the profile of pickleball in India and internationally. With AIPA’s initiative to bring the WPC home, I look forward to experiencing the energy and passion that India brings to this prestigious global championship.”
Pickleball, which blends elements of tennis, badminton and table tennis, is one of the fastest growing sports globally, and the number of enthusiasts taking up the game in India is increasing. The WPC Series promises to be a turning point for the growth of the game in India and beyond. AIPA aims to popularize the sport in India and ensure grassroots development of the sport across the country. AIPA has already started its engagement and development program by identifying talented players and providing them training in skills, diet, physical stamina and mental health. Conditioning will be done under the supervision of experts from the respective fields.